Wilson said police were assisting another vehicle that was in the ditch of the northbound lanes of Hubbell Avenue when the passing car rear-ended the police vehicle, sending it into the back of another squad car.

The squad car also sideswiped a fourth vehicle because of the impact, she said.

An Altoona police vehicle was damaged after being hit by a passing vehicle while it was stopped to assist a motorist.(Photo: Special to the Register)

Wilson said the first police vehicle that was struck, a 2017 Ford Interceptor, was totaled — an estimated $27,000 in damage to the vehicle and another $15,000 in equipment damage. The second police vehicle was also damaged and will need to be repaired.

The Altoona Police Department shared photos of the incident on Facebook, warning against distracted driving.

Wilson said the driver that struck the vehicle was "at minimum" going too fast for the conditions.

Since Altoona police were involved in the crash, it was investigated by the Polk County Sheriff's Department. The driver of the vehicle that struck the police car was cited for driving without insurance and fraudulent use of registration plates.